The Viall Files

E1043 - Vanderpump Is Back, Ryan Serhant Talks Owning Manhattan, RHOSLC, RHOP, Spotify Wrapped & Psychics

December 4, 2025

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  • The hosts discussed their Spotify Wrapped results, revealing Nick's top listening was soothing Packers podcasts and the other host's included The Wiggles and background jazz. 
  • A group from the Viall Files team visited a psychic, where one host was told they would be getting laid and finding the love of their life, while another was advised to keep their cards closer to their chest. 
  • Ryan Serhant, guest promoting the new season of *Owning Manhattan*, noted that a significant trend in real estate is 'interest rate divorce,' where couples stay together solely to keep low mortgage rates, leading to an expected surge in divorces as rates potentially drop. 
  • New York City real estate prices and rent are at all-time highs, with median prices approaching \$2 million per bedroom, leading to the city becoming a capital for pied-à-terre ownership. 
  • Ryan Serhant attributes his success to relentless follow-up and early brand building, noting that Netflix's *Owning Manhattan* provided a massive, global awareness flywheel that surpassed his previous success on Bravo. 
  • In New York real estate, unlike California, there is no legal requirement to disclose deaths or murders that occurred on a property, operating under a 'buyer beware' principle. 
  • The discussion on *The Real Housewives of Potomac* focused heavily on the drama surrounding Stacy, particularly the group's unified stance against her regarding the Chris Samuels situation, while praising Monique's seemingly more mature approach upon her return. 
  • The hosts analyzed the complex mother-daughter dynamics on *The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City*, noting that the season seems to center more on familial relationships than marriages, with specific attention paid to Bronwyn's healing journey with her mother and her critical view of Brittany's parenting. 
  • The segment on *The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City* highlighted Whitney's controversial decision to blame Justin for the failure of their business, Wild Rose Beauty, and her admission that the business operated as an MLM, which the hosts found baffling to admit on camera. 

Segments

Podcast Intro and Housekeeping
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(00:01:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Co-host Natalie is absent due to a sick child, with Steve filling in for the intro.
  • Summary: Nick welcomes listeners to the Reality Recap Edition of The Viall Files. He explains Natalie’s absence and introduces Steve as the temporary co-host for the opening.
Guest Ryan Serhant Introduction
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(00:02:19)
  • Key Takeaway: Ryan Serhant is the guest, promoting Season 2 of his Netflix show, Owning Manhattan.
  • Summary: The host introduces Ryan Serhant, noting that the interview was pre-recorded, ensuring Natalie will still be featured later in the episode.
Spotify Wrapped Listener Habits
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(00:03:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Hosts reveal their unusual listening habits: one listens to Packers podcasts, the other to background jazz.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss their Spotify Wrapped results, including one host’s top artist being a Packers podcast and another’s music taste being dominated by jazz and kids’ music (The Wiggles).
Psychic Reading Experience and Predictions
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(00:09:41)
  • Key Takeaway: A host recounts a psychic reading where they were told to keep their cards close, only to immediately joke about it.
  • Summary: A grievance is aired about not being invited to a team psychic reading. The host who attended shares predictions, including being ’laid’ and finding love, and their humorous interaction with the tarot cards (the Devil card).
Pregnancy Announcement and Gender Talk
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(00:17:40)
  • Key Takeaway: One host announces they are expecting their second boy, leading to a discussion about the desire for a daughter.
  • Summary: The host reveals they are pregnant with another boy. This prompts a reflection on the unique bond between mothers and daughters, which the host hopes Natalie will share with River.
Reality TV Gossip: Taylor & Sally
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(00:21:18)
  • Key Takeaway: Taylor from The Bachelorette is engaging in online drama with Sally from Southern Charm, comparing their perceived manipulative behaviors.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss the Mormon Wives reunion photos, Dakota’s behavior post-Bachelorette filming, and the feud between Taylor and Sally, where Taylor commented on a TikTok suggesting Sally exhibits ‘Taylor energy’ (cheating/manipulation).
Lindsay Hubbard & Johnny Bananas Drama
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(00:35:43)
  • Key Takeaway: Lindsay Hubbard publicly shut down Johnny Bananas for falsely claiming on a podcast that they had sex.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss Johnny Bananas claiming on a podcast that he hooked up with Lindsay Hubbard after her breakup with Carl. Lindsay responded sharply, stating they never had sex, and calling him out for seeking relevance.
NYC Real Estate Costs
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(00:51:06)
  • Key Takeaway: NYC real estate prices and rent are at historic highs.
  • Summary: Discussion on the high cost of living, maintenance, and taxes in NYC. Serhant confirms that average prices and rent are higher than ever before, citing a $60 million condo sale.
Serhant’s Minimum Deal Size
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(00:52:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Ryan Serhant primarily focuses on deals valued at $10 million and above.
  • Summary: The host asks about the lowest price point Serhant deals with. He explains he stays in his high-net-worth division, typically $10 million plus.
NYC Price Per Bedroom
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(00:52:40)
  • Key Takeaway: The cost for a desirable bedroom in NYC has doubled to nearly $2 million.
  • Summary: They discuss how the price per bedroom in good NYC locations has increased from $1 million a decade ago to nearly $2 million now, contributing to NYC becoming a ‘Pied-a-Terre capital.’
NYC Airbnb Restrictions
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(00:53:19)
  • Key Takeaway: Airbnbs are outlawed in New York City due to hotel tax lobbies.
  • Summary: The conversation touches on why Airbnbs are banned in NYC, attributing it to the loss of tax revenue for hotels.
Serhant’s Success Formula
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(00:53:50)
  • Key Takeaway: Relentless follow-up and early brand building created a passive inbound lead flow.
  • Summary: Serhant details his success factors: working hard, consistent follow-up, and building a brand to generate inbound leads, rather than constantly chasing clients.
Bravo vs. Netflix Exposure
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(00:55:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Netflix provided a massive, global awareness boost that Bravo could not match.
  • Summary: Serhant contrasts his time on Million Dollar Listing (which opened doors) with Owning Manhattan (which created global awareness, hitting 300 million people in days).
Owning Manhattan Season 2 Tease
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(00:57:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Season 2 will feature murder, love triangles, and Serhant’s largest filmed transaction ($60M).
  • Summary: Serhant previews the upcoming season, promising drama and confirming the $60 million deal will be featured.
Real Estate Market Outlook
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(01:06:35)
  • Key Takeaway: The market is in a housing recession, but a 2008-style crash is unlikely; a debt crisis is more probable.
  • Summary: Serhant discusses market cycles, noting that while crashes happen faster now, the current situation is a recession due to inventory/rates, not a crash. He warns about consumer debt.
Storytelling in Sales
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(01:08:43)
  • Key Takeaway: Great sales stories start by defining the desired outcome and reverse-engineering the path to it.
  • Summary: Comparing sales to storytelling, Serhant explains that successful narratives begin with the end goal (the outcome) and then work backward.
Discipline: Commitment vs. Feeling
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(01:04:11)
  • Key Takeaway: Professionals make decisions based on commitments, while amateurs base decisions on feelings.
  • Summary: Serhant explains his view on self-discipline: honoring commitments regardless of how one feels that day.
Valuing Privacy Less
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(01:05:27)
  • Key Takeaway: Serhant no longer values privacy, believing openness drives professional and personal success.
  • Summary: When asked what he once valued but no longer does, Serhant names privacy, noting his career is built on being an open book, despite his wife’s disagreement.
Selling a Walk-Up Condo
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(01:37:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Sell the future value (assemblage potential) over current flaws (no AC, stairs).
  • Summary: Serhant sells a $2.5M fifth-floor walk-up by focusing on its potential for a developer to buy it out for double the price.
Selling a Haunted Brownstone
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(01:44:46)
  • Key Takeaway: Confirmed ghost sightings add provenance and turn a property into an amusement investment.
  • Summary: Serhant argues a $5M brownstone with seven ghost sightings is an easy sell, suggesting turning it into a ticketed attraction.
NYC Death Disclosure Laws
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(01:59:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Unlike California, New York City real estate law does not require sellers to disclose deaths on the property.
  • Summary: Serhant discusses the Madoff son’s suicide apartment sale, noting that in NYC, it is ‘buyer beware’ regarding deaths on the property.
Vanderpump Rules Season 12 Recap
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(01:59:53)
  • Key Takeaway: The new VPR cast shows genuine desperation for fame, which is good for the show’s energy.
  • Summary: A rapid recap of the new Vanderpump Rules cast dynamics, hookups, and drama, noting the cast seems poor and eager to leverage the show for acting careers.
Friendships Between Sexes
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(02:04:06)
  • Key Takeaway: If you are in a committed relationship, you shouldn’t have time for coffee dates with attractive friends of the opposite sex.
  • Summary: The hosts debate whether men and women can be friends, concluding that if you fantasize about looking at a friend nude, you are not truly friends.
Reality Show Character Comparisons
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(01:41:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Shane Connet is compared to Tom Schwartz due to his notable laugh and appeal to women.
  • Summary: The hosts compare reality TV personalities, noting Shane Connet resembles Tom Schwartz. They also discuss the formulaic nature of certain couples on a show, possibly related to Love Is Blind or a similar dating format.
RHOP: Wendy’s Legal Update
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(01:42:06)
  • Key Takeaway: The judge denied Wendy and her husband’s request to be tried separately.
  • Summary: The discussion turns to The Real Housewives of Potomac (RHOP), specifically Wendy Osefo’s legal situation, noting the judge denied their petition to have separate trials. This prompts a brief comparison to Teresa and Joe Giudice.
RHOP Rapid Recap: Stacy & Monique
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(01:42:56)
  • Key Takeaway: The recap focuses on Stacy being ostracized after being accused of snitching about Monique’s comments regarding Chris Samuels.
  • Summary: Mary provides a rapid recap of recent RHOP events, detailing drama involving Monique, Stacy, Chris Samuels, Tia, and Angel. The central conflict revolves around Stacy’s alleged dishonesty and subsequent isolation from the group.
Monique’s Return and Growth
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(01:44:56)
  • Key Takeaway: Monique is praised for returning to the show seemingly having grown and not being ‘activated’ by drama.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss Monique’s demeanor upon returning, noting she seems less interested in bashing other women and more focused on her personal growth, especially concerning her co-parenting situation.
Reality TV & Marital Issues
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(01:46:39)
  • Key Takeaway: It is difficult to maintain a functional marriage while filming reality TV, as issues will inevitably play out on screen.
  • Summary: The conversation explores the challenges Stacy faces trying to reconcile while filming, suggesting that couples cannot hide marital issues from the cameras or the public.
RHOP: Ashley & Wendy’s Family Dynamics
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(01:49:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Ashley’s supportive conversation with her mother about her mom’s unsupportive partner resonated, contrasting with Wendy’s discussion about her absent father.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss scenes showing the impact of parental relationships: Ashley’s concern for her mother’s partner, and Wendy’s discussion with her sister about not knowing what a healthy mother-father relationship looks like, linking it to her current allegations.
RHOSLC: Bronwyn’s Villain Era Debate
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(01:52:31)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts debate if Bronwyn is entering a villain era, noting she seems overly concerned with fan perception.
  • Summary: The discussion shifts to RHOSLC. The hosts analyze Bronwyn’s recent actions, particularly her need for validation from her mother, and whether her behavior is becoming villainous or if she is healing.
RHOSLC Rapid Recap: Betsy Ross Party
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(01:56:33)
  • Key Takeaway: The recap highlights Bronwyn’s citizenship party, Whitney’s business failure, and the major confrontation between Whitney and Meredith.
  • Summary: Mary recaps the latest RHOSLC episode, detailing Bronwyn’s American-themed party, Whitney blaming Justin for her business failure, and Meredith calling Whitney an ‘alcoholic pill popper,’ leading to Meredith offering drug tests.
Meredith vs. Whitney Conflict Analysis
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(02:09:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Whitney’s accusation of Meredith being an alcoholic was an overreach, but Meredith’s deflection and lying about the plane incident are also criticized.
  • Summary: The hosts dissect the fallout from the plane incident, focusing on Whitney’s diagnosis of Meredith and Meredith’s subsequent deflection tactics, including providing drug tests at her party.
Whitney & Justin’s Business Blame
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(02:02:39)
  • Key Takeaway: Whitney placed the full blame for her business failure on Justin, despite having agency in the decisions made.
  • Summary: The hosts critique Whitney’s sit-down with Justin, where she seemed to victimize herself and blame him for the failure of Wild Rose Beauty, even after he lost his job supporting her venture.
Angie vs. Lisa Fast Food Feud
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(02:14:30)
  • Key Takeaway: The ongoing, non-serious rivalry between Lisa and Angie over fast food franchises (Wendy’s vs. Arby’s) is entertaining.
  • Summary: The hosts briefly discuss the lighthearted feud between Lisa and Angie, noting Angie’s recent Arby’s ad appearance, which plays off Lisa’s previous comments about Wendy’s.